The April issue of Consumer Reports is now on the newsstands. This is the month of their Annual Auto Issue. While much of the content is devoted to reviewing the 2009 models, there is also a lot of good information about buying a used car. Here are some examples:

Q. Am I better off buying a used car?

A. Buying a late-model used car instead of a new one can save you thousands of dollars over the first five years of ownership, assuming it has low mileage and modern safety features. That’s because it has already taken its biggest hit in depreciation. If a car hasn’t been well maintained, its reliability and value are wild cards. Before you buy any used car, ask a qualified independent mechanic to inspect it.

Q. I want to keep my car. How long will it last?

A. A reliable car, if well maintained, can go 200,000 miles or more with few if any major repairs. But it’s time to part company if the car needs repairs costing more than half its value, if it seems likely that the car could leave you stranded, or if its structural integrity is compromised.

Automotive Report Cards

Once again, they calculate each automaker’s score based on their average test scores and their average predicted reliability rankings. The top 11 carmakers are all imports. The bottom four are Ford, Suzuki, General Motors, and Chrysler.

Source: Consumer Reports Magazine, April 2009